A Chinese humanoid robot has shattered one of the most iconic records in the world of athletics. On Saturday, during the opening of the second Humanoid Robot World Games in Beijing, the robot named Tiangong Ultra sprinted 100 meters in a remarkable 9.39 seconds.
This time surpasses the 9.58 seconds record set by Jamaican Usain Bolt at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
The achievement was officially recorded during a qualifying round of the tournament and broadcast by China's state television network.
An Unprecedented Finish
Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, crossed the finish line with a body-length lead over its competitors.
Competing in the same series were two other robots. The runner-up was Shandian—meaning "lightning" in Mandarin—produced by technology company Honor, clocking in at 9.47 seconds.
The third position went to a robot from Unitree, which finished in 12.41 seconds. Honor revealed that Shandian, also known as Lightning, had achieved 9.32 seconds in a pre-event trial, with a top speed of 14.5 meters per second, according to DW. This trial result was even faster than Tiangong Ultra's performance in the qualifying round.
Remarkable Progress
Tiangong Ultra's result marks a significant improvement from the first edition of the games, where the same robot won the 100 meters with a time of 21.50 seconds—a reduction of over 56% in just one year.
The second Humanoid Robot World Games are being held at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the Ice Ribbon, and will continue until Wednesday. The competition features 666 teams and 2,056 machines, including 25 international participants, with a program comprising 51 events and 1,301 competitive sessions.
These disciplines extend well beyond athletics, featuring soccer, martial arts, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, and even household tasks like folding clothes, as reported by the BBC from Beijing.
Rapid Technological Advancements
Saturday's record is not an isolated incident. In April, robots had already outpaced humans in the Beijing half marathon, where Lightning completed the 21 kilometers in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.
In 2025, robots required more than two hours and forty minutes to cover the same distance. For the August Games, researchers extended Lightning's legs by ten centimeters—from 95 cm to 1.05 meters—according to China's Central Television (CCTV).
This progress is part of Beijing's strategic focus on humanoid robotics. According to RTVE, "China is promoting humanoid robotics as an emerging strategic industry; both authorities and companies are betting that advances in artificial intelligence and hardware will accelerate their deployment in manufacturing, logistics, and consumer applications."
The sector's growth is also mirrored in the markets. Unitree Robotics, one of the participants in the games, made its stock market debut on August 19 on Shanghai's STAR Market, experiencing a 460% surge on its first day. This marked Unitree as the first humanoid robotics company listed in mainland China, raising approximately 904 million dollars in its initial public offering.
FAQs on the Humanoid Robot World Games
What is Tiangong Ultra's new record time for the 100 meters?
Tiangong Ultra set a new record time of 9.39 seconds for the 100 meters.
How does Shandian's performance compare to Tiangong Ultra's?
Shandian finished the race in 9.47 seconds but had achieved a faster 9.32 seconds in a pre-event trial.
Where are the Humanoid Robot World Games held?
The games are held at the National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the Ice Ribbon, in Beijing.
What other events are included in the games?
The games feature a wide range of events, including soccer, martial arts, table tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, and household tasks.